13 July 2017

MANILA, Philippines — A law professor who was among those behind the Philippines' legal victory in the Hague over its maritime dispute with China is disappointed with the Duterte administration's approach a year after the ruling was handed down.

Florin Hilbay, the solicitor general under the previous administration, lamented how the current government adopted a defeatist stance in setting aside the ruling in favor of better relations with Beijing.

"The first anniversary of the tribunal's award marks a year of disappointment after disappointment after our victory at The Hague," said Hilbay, who was a member of the legal team who defended the country's claims over parts of the South China Sea at the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

"The current administration seems to have adopted a policy of defeatism and a mindset of non-enforcement of the award," he added.

Facing the international tribunal in the Netherlands in 2015, Hilbay introduced the Philippines’ presentation and delivered the summary of the country’s 15 arguments against Chinese claims over the disputed waters.